“They Should Not Get Even A Penny” Mao Blocks EC Funds As NUP Misses Out on Shs7.5B

The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, will not receive any portion of the Shs7.5 billion in political party funding allocated by the government this year. The directive came from Justice Minister Norbert Mao, who instructed the Electoral Commission (EC) in no uncertain terms: “Don’t send them a coin.”

The funding cut follows the enactment of a new law requiring political parties to be members of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) in order to qualify for public financial support. Since NUP withdrew from IPOD several years ago—criticizing it as a platform manipulated by President Museveni’s government and ineffective at driving genuine reform—the party is now ineligible under the revised criteria.

“There is no legal basis for the Electoral Commission to disburse funds to any party outside IPOD,” Minister Mao stated, adding that the EC must wait for new statutory instruments before releasing any funds.

This development significantly impacts NUP, currently the largest opposition party by parliamentary representation and grassroots support. While the party receives nothing, smaller parties like the Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) remain eligible for funding due to their continued participation in IPOD, despite having fewer MPs.

For NUP, the loss of funding poses a serious challenge. Public funds typically help political parties with operational costs, mobilization efforts, campaign materials, and voter outreach. Now, the party will have to lean more heavily on donations from supporters at home and in the diaspora—a grassroots fundraising method known locally as luseke, where ordinary citizens contribute small amounts to sustain the political movement.

“This is just another attempt to silence us,” a senior NUP official commented. “But we are used to such tactics. We’ll keep pushing forward—with or without the money.”

The decision has sparked a nationwide debate. Critics argue that the law unfairly targets NUP and is designed to weaken the opposition by cutting off vital resources. Supporters of the new regulation, however, contend that all parties must follow the same legal framework and that NUP chose to exit IPOD voluntarily.

As of now, Bobi Wine has not issued an official statement, but sources close to him say he is urging supporters to remain resilient and focused despite the financial blow.

With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the move adds another layer of tension to Uganda’s already polarized political landscape.